Global food retail voluntary chain SPAR International donated INR3 million (€38,000) to a non-profit and global child care organisation SOS Children’s Villages of India. The donation will be used by SOS Children’s Villages of India for their ongoing work supporting children and families in the country.

The donation was made on behalf of all 44 SPAR countries, launching an initiative in keeping with the community-commitment inherent to the brand, and thereby leaving a legacy in the market.

SOS Children’s Villages of India work with communities and states to provide a loving home for 26,000 children who need alternative care and to prevent family breakdown. The SOS Children’s Villages of India is part of a large global network of SOS Children’s Villages present in 135 countries and territories around the world, having grown since its foundation in Austria in 1949.

SPAR India has an ongoing partnership with SOS Children’s Village. Last Christmas, SPAR India supported the charity through an initiative that saw SPAR India’s customers purchase from a pre-selected range of much-needed items as Christmas presents, available in-store, which were distributed to over 7,200 children spread across 32 SOS Children’s Villages in 22 states.

Speaking about the donation, Tobias Wasmuht managing director of SPAR International says, “As a global yet local food retailer, SPAR strives to add value to the communities it serves. The partnership between SPAR India and SOS Children’s Village is one which is appreciated by the global SPAR family. We are pleased that through this initiative, we can leave a positive, long-lasting legacy, making a real difference to children and communities in India.”

“Our partnership with SPAR India provides great encouragement to us and strengthens our resolve towards improving lives of once parentless and abandoned children under our care. The very generous support from the SPAR International Congress will give a big push towards empowering these children with quality education as well as opportunities that will open up their world. Our constant endeavour through our programmes is to equip our children with holistic development and integrating them in society. We strive to give them a normal childhood and opportunities to grow up and become successful, contributing members of society. I am confident that through this sponsorship, we will continue to grow our programmes from strength to strength,” adds Anuja Bansal, secretary general of SOS Children’s Villages of India.